Kids' n Nature FREE School Group Program

Kids 'n Nature is an exciting approach to educational programming that will encourage children to understand and care for our region's rich biodiversity – investigating how ecology works, why biodiversity is important, and why its preservation affects humans individually and collectively.

The Kids 'n Nature program has been developed and funded by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park, in cooperation with Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The program was launched in 2010, the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity, and it coincided with the completion of the Marsh Boardwalk project.

Program Delivery

IN-CLASS VISIT: BRINGING PRESQU'ILE TO YOUR CLASSROOM

Prior to visiting the park, our interpreter can come to your classroom to prime students for their field trip. The interactive activities provided can be schedule for 30 to 60 minutes. Teachers who choose the in-class portion in addition to their in-park visit report a greater depth of experience by their students.

IN-PARK VISIT: BRINGING YOUR CLASS TO PRESQU'ILE

A single class visiting the park can choose to experience a program with our interpreter in the morning or afternoon. Please allow 2 hours for a program. If the group would like to spend the entire day at the park, students can enjoy their lunch in the park before or after the program and participate in a self-guided activity.

Schools sending multiple classes to the park on the same day should arrange for one class to experience a program in the morning while the other participates in a self-guided activity. Classes can then switch in the afternoon.

Range of Program Topics

The Kids 'n Nature program concentrates on the biodiversity of Presqu'ile Provincial Park, using one of its five habitats as a teaching platform.

Each visit will cover one of the following habitat study areas:

the marsh

the forest

the dunes/tombolo/pannes

the meadowlands

the lake/beach habitats

The following is a list of grades and topic areas to choose from:

Grade

Program Title

Program Description

Kindergarten

Caring for Our Environment

While hunting for the ‘messy marsh visitor,’ students will identify how they can help plants and animals in the marsh. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 1

Characteristics of Living Things

Focusing on insects, students will recognize the features of living things and how their habitat meets their needs. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 2

Growth and Changes in Animals

By examining different features of a habitat and specific animal needs, this program will focus on the way humans affect the environment and benefit from an animal’s existence. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 3

Growth and Changes in Plants

Focusing on the many types of plants in a habitat, students will recognize the value of plant life as it provides not only food but shelter, nurseries, protection and clean water for animals. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 4

Habitats and Communities

Students will evaluate the connections between various species in a habitat and identify what makes a habitat healthy. Involves small group work. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 6

Biodiversity

Living things each have distinctive needs in order to survive. Students will explore what happens when these needs are no longer met and how this occurs. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Grade 7

Interactions in the Environment

In small groups, students will determine what a specific species requires for survival and how it is affected by other species, including humans. Pond study or scavenger hunt included.

Custom Programs

If you would like a program designed to your specific needs, please contact us. Programs are able to be tailored to include different topics and information in order to accommodate your unit and lesson planning.

Program Cost

The Friends of Presqu'ile Park are generously sponsoring the Kids 'n Nature School Group Programs, making your visit FREE!

Groups are responsible for providing their own transportation to, within, and from Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Any additional vehicles, such as parent volunteers travelling in their own vehicle, are responsible for their own entry into the Park.

Our Nature Interpreter

Our interpreters are students or graduates with teaching experience and solid in-field knowledge about the Park and its local region. They are supported by Park Staff, facilities, and interpretive material.

Teachers' Testimonials

'Thank you Friends of Presqu'ile! It is wonderful to be able to offer a quality program to my students at no charge. I know this program is supported by the volunteer work of The Friends. Thank you!'

'I loved the in-class visit. It gave the students a preparation for the Park visit. The boardwalk was great - lots of great information en route.'

'A fantastic 'hands-on' learning experience. Our experience was excellent. We were very pleased with our classroom visit and our visit to the Park.'

How to Book a Program

1) Familiarize yourself with the programs we offer by reading the information above. More detailed information is available in our downloadable info pack.

2) Choose your desired program type, topic and location.

3) Check our available dates calendar at the top of this page. Choose some possible dates for your in-class and/or in-park programs. Please be advised that our programming is available between May 10 and October 6, 2017.

4) Click on the sign up button below. Have your dates and school contact information ready.